On the Radio Waves in Guinea-Bissau

Posted May 27, 2009 / ,

The recent assassinations of the President and Army Chief of Staff in Guinea-Bissau earlier this year thankfully did not triggered further violence.

However, there are signs of turmoil within the country. Under Constitutional law Guinea-Bissau needs to now hold presidential elections. As presidential candidates vie for political power and balance varying pressures, tensions are rising across the country. Elections are scheduled for the end of June, but research shows that political violence is most likely before, during and after elections.

Last month, our local partners saw a great need for a spirit of calm for all Guineans and requested funds for a grant to do a national radio campaign in the weeks before the election. Through the International Peace and Prosperity Project (IPPP), we gave local partners a grant to produce and broadcast 3 radio messages. Communicating peace, hope and unity, Guineans are inspiring and supporting each other.

One message comes from the only leaders in the country with wide-spread legitimacy – those within the Catholic, Evangelical and Muslim communities. After living through multiple coups and counter-coups Guineans sometimes question the motives of political and military leaders. With a strong focus on their spiritual lives, Guineans look to their religious leaders for guidance. The 6-minute message from religious leaders encourages their fellow citizens to put aside thoughts of revenge, ethnic favoritism and violence – and pick up their common humanity and the memory that they all fought side-by-side for independence.

Two shorter radio clips remind people of the president’s duties and publicize a national Night of Peace and Democracy in early June. You can listen to the radio spots that will air in Guinea in June here:

    Full 6 minute radio clip from the Religious Leaders/ Read the English Translation.

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    2 minute clip sample from the Religious Leaders/ Read the English Translation.

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    1-minute radio spot explaining Presidential duties/English translation coming soon.

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    2-minute radio spot on the Night of Peace and Democracy/English translation coming soon.

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The radio spots will air nation-wide, several times a week on two national radio stations and in 5 different languages. Take action today to support Guinea-Bissau during their presidential elections this summer.